Danish-Kosovo detention agreement exemplifies EU’s externalization model for migrant returns, raising human rights concerns.
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A treaty between Denmark and Kosovo, which allows Copenhagen to send up to 300 detainees, including migrants subject to deportation orders, to Kosovar prisons, is presented as a model for externalizing detention centers for repatriation, aligning with proposals from the European Commission’s “return hubs.” Critics warn that this trend suggests an immediate link between migration and criminality, which they argue is false. The agreement, formalized in 2024, involves renting space at Gjilan prison for five years, with Denmark providing significant funding to Kosovo. Concerns have been raised regarding a lack of public debate and consultation with human rights organizations. While the Danish Ministry of Justice states detainees can be returned to Denmark if they do not cooperate with deportation orders, some provisions allow detention in Gjilan if there is a reasonable possibility of future expulsion. This model mirrors the EU Commission’s new proposal for return hubs outside member states, raising fears that asylum or fundamental rights assessments may not be thoroughly conducted before repatriation. Furthermore, there are concerns about overcrowding and double standards in prison conditions within Kosovo, as well as what happens to individuals after their sentences end if they cannot return to Denmark or apply for asylum in Kosovo. Critics argue that the EU is exploiting the willingness of candidate countries like Kosovo to sign such agreements to advance its migration policy goals.
